Malaysia’s MEASAT Satellite Systems announced today the successful
launch of the AZERSPACE-1 / AFRICASAT-1a satellite, designed to provide
high powered communications services across Central Asia, Europe and
Africa .
The USD300m satellite was developed in collaboration between MEASAT
and Azercosmos Joint Stock Company (“Azercosmos”), a company set up by
the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the
Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
“We are delighted with the successful launch of this new satellite
which is the result of three years of collaboration between Azercosmos
and MEASAT,” said YABhg. Tun Dr. Hj. Mohammed Hanif bin Omar, Director
of MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. “We thank the Malaysian Ministry
of Information, Communications and Culture; the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission; and, the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Ministry
of Communications and Information Technologies for their active support,
without which this project would not have happened.”
“The commissioning of the AFRICASAT-1a satellite into commercial
operations will expand MEASAT’s coverage into new markets across Africa
and the Middle East in support of Malaysian government and business
interests,” said Paul Brown-Kenyon, MEASAT’s Chief Executive Officer.
“The launch of the satellite is part of an ongoing programme to expand
MEASAT’s satellite fleet which will see the launch of three (3) new
satellites worth USD1bn over a three (3) year period.”
Over the next few days, the AZERSPACE-1 / AFRICASAT-1a satellite will be
raised from a geo-transfer orbit into a geostationary orbit. The
satellite will then undergo testing for approximately one month, prior
to being brought into commercial operations at the Malaysian 46.0°E
orbital slot.
(Source : ABU)
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